My therapy report.

[Dennis S]

Some of you may remember the story of my ongoing physical therapy. The story may have worked itself to the end. Eight months ago, and completely out of the blue, I came down with something that was extremely painful and crippling in my right hip joint and lower back. One day I was fine, and the next day the only way I could get in a car was to open the passenger door and pull myself in by grasping the steering wheel. Even doing that caused searing pain.

I had been crippled by polio 55 years earlier, but had experienced a miracle cure after several years of serious physical rehabilitation. Now, these many years later, I was lucky to connect with a great physical therapist who gave me a lot of (badly needed) encouragement, and we got to work.

Many of you have been kind enough to ask how I have been doing. After 8 months of very strenuous (and very painful) rehabilitation, here is where we stand. What I experienced is some kind of reoccurrence of my polio problems, and some of these effects are very likely permanent.

On the plus side, I can drive again, and don?t look too weird getting in the car. Within the last two weeks I have gotten to where I can tie the shoe on my right foot (this was a big day for me) and I may never want to wear loafers again. However, I did not get away unscathed. There are a lot of things that still hurt quite a bit. In addition, the therapist tells me that the damage done to my joints is such that any hiking or significant exercise is going to cause me more harm than good. I know many here could tell that same story. All things considered, I am very grateful for my therapist, and the way he helped me get so far back from where the polio pushed me.

 

[geebee]

I am happy and sad for you at the same time. It sounds like you have found quite a wonderful partner in helping you through this but it really sucks that you have had a reoccurrence of the polio. I will pray that things at least do not get worse and, hopefully, will improve with the hard work.

I am convinced that each day we open our eyes we are lucky. Keep on smiling my friend.

 

[Ross]

I learn something new everyday in here. I didn't think anything polio related would crop up after having the disease. Silly question, but did they do X-rays of your hip? Kind of wanting to know how the femoral head looks.

 

[Cooker]

Dennis,

Sorry you have this burden but so glad for your improvement ... Your attitude is so inspiring ... makes me a bit ashamed of some of my insignificant complaints .... I will keep you in my prayers....

Tom

 

[Dennis S]

I learn something new everyday in here. I didn't think anything polio related would crop up after having the disease. Silly question, but did they do X-rays of your hip? Kind of wanting to know how the femoral head looks.

T

Good question. Actually, that was the very first thing they did. The hip is fine as far as the Xrays are concerned.

I agree that it seems very strange to be hit by a disease you thought you left behind 55 years ago. But, in fact, this has happened to many people, and often with much more severe consequences. There is a wealth of information if you Google "post polio syndrome". My therapist, who is an expert in the area of post polio syndrome doesn't think I fit the classic pattern, which is great news, if it holds up. But he is sure my present problems are caused by my polio. Under his care I have regained a lot of what I lost last summer (and I will take a little bit of credit for working hard under very painful circumstances). That level of improvement would, I think, be very unusual if I was dealing with classic post polio symptoms.

 

[Karlynn]

Dennis- I'm very glad you've seen some encouraging improvement in your therapy. Your attitude is an example in perseverance. I'm also glad that you don't fit the "classic" post-polio syndrome. Whether Classic or not, it is Nature's horrible joke on those who initially survived a devastating disease. (I have 2 other friends affected by PPS and know the struggle and challenges it causes.)

You remain in my prayers.

 

[Bina]

Dennis, thanks for sharing your good report. You are a determined man and I'm sure you won't let this get you down.
Thankfully, the photography hobby allows you to touch nature without climbing or hiking too far.

 

[BDMc]

Dennis, Glad about your progress. It must be really hard to hear that some of the damage is permanent. I had friends that had had polio when I was a child. One was in a wheel chair, and my closest friend was lucky it just affected one arm. I am so sorry to learn it can come back. Like you didn't go through enough with it the first time! Keep fighting! I am rooting for you. Your valve bro, Brian

 

[Ross]

T

Good question. Actually, that was the very first thing they did. The hip is fine as far as the Xrays are concerned.

I agree that it seems very strange to be hit by a disease you thought you left behind 55 years ago. But, in fact, this has happened to many people, and often with much more severe consequences. There is a wealth of information if you Google "post polio syndrome". My therapist, who is an expert in the area of post polio syndrome doesn't think I fit the classic pattern, which is great news, if it holds up. But he is sure my present problems are caused by my polio. Under his care I have regained a lot of what I lost last summer (and I will take a little bit of credit for working hard under very painful circumstances). That level of improvement would, I think, be very unusual if I was dealing with classic post polio symptoms.

Your description of symptoms sounded very similiar to what my hip was doing before it was replaced. The entire femoral head necrosed thanks to years of high dose Prednisone to treat my lung disease. It got to the point that I could not stand up without being in so much pain that simply moving about sent me through the roof.

 

[Dennis S]

I suspect we had very similar pain. The therapist kept telling me to stop holding my breath while he stretched the joint to get back what he called "internal rotation". I am betting you can guess how it felt to have a guy take your ankle and force the joint to move way beyond where it wanted to go. This therapist was an expert at pushing right to the absolute limit before I cracked.

 

[Lynlw]

I'm sorry you are still having problems, it doesn't really seem fair this many years later after working so hard. I can understand a little of the pain you are in, with my back the tieing the shoes is a big step, I know because that's why I usally wear clogs in the winter. I'm glad you can drive again and hope you still see some improvements.

 

[gadgetman]

There are a lot of things that still hurt quite a bit. In addition, the therapist tells me that the damage done to my joints is such that any hiking or significant exercise is going to cause me more harm than good.

Dennis,

First, I join the others in not knowing this dreaded stuff could hit you again. I will continue to pray for additional recovery, especially from the pain.

It sounds like you've found the right guy to at least keep you mobile. I know its been cold there but have you tried getting on your ATV lately? I know some areas will be off limits but maybe the ATV will provide you with the mobility to capture those pictures we all enjoy, while not causing any more injury or pain.

May God Bless,

Danny

 

[Dennis S]

Dennis,

First, I join the others in not knowing this dreaded stuff could hit you again. I will continue to pray for additional recovery, especially from the pain.

It sounds like you've found the right guy to at least keep you mobile. I know its been cold there but have you tried getting on your ATV lately? I know some areas will be off limits but maybe the ATV will provide you with the mobility to capture those pictures we all enjoy, while not causing any more injury or pain.

May God Bless,

Danny

Thanks, Danny and others. I am able to ride my ATV, and our part of New Mexico has thousands of miles of back country roads where we can ride without hurting the environment. Besides that, I have a snow plow on my ATV that works great for plowing our 1/4 mile driveway and the rest of the place. Barb took a turn at plowing early on when I was worse off. Turns out she loves pushing the snow around with a flick of her wrist. I may never get to plow again.

 

[Superbob]

Dennis,

Sorry you are still having problems but glad you are making progress. I have had three rounds of physical therapy for assorted ailments, and my wife is now into her second round, and the therapists have always helped us immensely. Wonderful people doing important work.

 

[njean]

I hope that you continue to improve & sorry to hear of all the pain that you are going thru & have been. I have osteo on both of my hips more severe on the right & in the mornings, especially very cool mornings, the pain gets to be so bad it literally wakes me up. Then I limp for a good while until my body gets warmed up.

Praying for more improvement for you!

P.S. And if you do get on your ATV like Danny mentioned, be careful! I nearly killed myself 5 years ago on one when it overturned on some soft dirt. Tore the MCL on my right knee in half. Had to have major surgery & that knee still swells up & causes me much pain every now & then after all those years!

 

[Marguerite53]

Dennis, I'm so sorry to hear of your struggles. I guess I did not know that there was so much pain involved. Way to be tough, mister!!!!

I wonder if all the new projects and assignments you have given yourself may have put some stress on your system?? I know you enjoy your school board work, but could that be a factor?

Wishing you continuing improvement!!

Marguerite

 

[Wise]

Best wishes to you friend. Prayers being offered for the very best recovery possible for you. You're a good guy and a brave soul. I'm glad to hear of your better than expected recovery to this point!

 

[hall]

Sorry to hear about your hip and lower back. My husband had polio and he has many aches and pains. We know all of it is post polio. He had pain real bad in his neck and legs. I feel for you. I know how much at times DH hurts. My DH is on gabapentin, generic for neurotin (as needed) for pain. DH said he takes this at bedtime because it makes him dizzy. He has tried all the celebrex ect. If DH hurts in the day, he will take celebrex and the gabapentin at night if needed. He found this med from a friend of ours that also had polio. DH said it helped him a lot. Prayers for you Dennis.